Schoep’s Dad Adopts a New Rescue Dog

You might remember John Unger, the devoted dog dad whose love for his boy was captured by photographer Hannah Stonehouse Hudson in a snapshot that was seen around the world. It has been over a year since Schoep passed, and now John has opened his heart to a new shelter dog.

A senior dog in his late teens, Schoep suffered from arthritis that made it difficult to walk, and even swim, which he loved. So John tenderly held his beloved dog, often for hours, in the soothing waters of Lake Superior. Sometimes Schoep was so relaxed that he’d fall asleep in his dad’s arms.

“He was my life,” John said.

When Hannah’s beautiful photo surfaced online, the pair became instant celebrities amongst dog lovers, and their bond touched the hearts of everyone who read the story that went along with the photo.

John was battling depression 20 years ago when he came across Schoep in a shelter.

“He saved me that night and I could only do my very best for him after that,” John told USA Today.

And he did. He loved his dog til the very end, even celebrating Schoep’s 20th birthday. It wasn’t long after that Schoep departed this world, leaving John with a gigantic hole in his heart.

“It was really tough after Schoep left, and [I] didn’t know what to do with my time,” he explained.

As the months passed, John thought about getting another dog, but nothing felt right.

“It was re-learning how to live and once I learned that and once I got through the toughness of his love that’s when I started searching again,” he said.

Several days ago, a handful of dogs were surrendered to the Northwoods Humane Society in Wyoming, Minnesota. Year-old Bear was one of them.

“It was just unison. It was just you know, in love from the moment they said hello to each other,” said shelter worker Kim Molitor.

It’s been less than a week now, and John and Bear are still getting to know one another, such as whether Bear prefers a stick or a ball.

Though it is difficult to move on from Schoep, John knows he has to take a chance on love.

About Melanie

studied English and has a bachelor's degree in psychology, with a focus on animal behavior, neuropsychology, and psychotherapy. She shares two pit bulls (adopted from the SPCA Serving Erie County) with her family, as well as three adopted cats with her husband, Fred. She takes pride in being a grammar enthusiast and advocating for animals, the environment, equal rights, and humanitarianism. She loves camping, cooking, taking photos, listening to psychedelic rock and indie music, and making all sorts of crafty things - from charm bracelets and paper rose bouquets to kitty condos and feral cat houses!

Melanie was sharing this profile with Fred, who is new to the Life With Dogs family, so many stories that were written by Fred from April 2014 - June 2014 will appear under Melanie's name.

Me too…that photo gets me every time. My 18 1/2-year-old cat Fluffy passed away from lung cancer last November, and the thing with a pet friend that you’ve had that long is that you’ve gone through so much with them. A part of you dies with them, you know. It hurts like hell no matter how long you’ve been with them, even for a day. But you can see in that photo how much they love each other, how close they are after 20 years together. I’m trying to be extra good because when I die, I want to go wherever my pets have gone.

I still miss my Grady Boy who looked just like Schoep and was my light in life until almost 14 years. I rescued Ginger, a tripod 6 months later and even though she will never fill Grady’s paws, she brings me lots of love and happiness. So happy that you have gotten a new partner in life. He looks adorable. I also had a pup named Bear.